Mondor's Disease

sherry64
sherry64 Member Posts: 184
edited April 2017 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello everyone.  I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem.  I've had a sore spot on a rib just below my right breast.  A lumpectomy on Oct. 9 had resulted in a lot of bruising and trauma on the right breast.  When I was trying to see the rib better I noticed a palpable line (rope) extending from under my right breast all the way down my waist.  I found the diagnosis on this forum but am wondering if it warrants a call to my surgeon.  I'm thinking I should call since I'm scheduled for a bilateral mast Dec. 1 and I guess he should know what's going on.  Don't think there's much treatment for it though.

Thanks.

Sherry

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Comments

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited November 2008

    I had it on both sides - I had a mastectomy on my right side with implant reconstruction and I had an implant added into my left breast.  I got it after my last surgery, first on my left side and quite a bit later on my right side.  You're right, there is no treatment.  It does go away on it's own but it can take some time and in the meantime, it can be painful and annoying.  I found that the pain tended to move around a lot extending from right under my breast down to my ribs. 

    It's probably worth telling the surgeon about this but I can't imagine that it would impact your surgery.  A lot of doctors don't even know about Mondor's so it will be interesting to see what your surgeon says.

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  • sherry64
    sherry64 Member Posts: 184
    edited November 2008

    Thanks Beesie.  I spoke with the surgeon's nurse and she didn't know what I was talking about.  She suggested I come in and see the doctor, so they're squeezing me in tomorrow.  I feel sort of silly going in for this but I do think it's a good idea for him to take a look as I'm scheduled for the bi-mast in a few weeks and want him to be aware of all possible complications.  I had a tough recovery from a hysterectomy in May after developing a seroma and having the wound open in three places.   I'm definitely fearful of complications with my upcoming stuff.

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  • sherry64
    sherry64 Member Posts: 184
    edited November 2008

    Saw my surgeon today and he diagnosed Mondor's before he even examined me.  I was glad I didn't have to tell him what it was.  He said to apply heat as needed and see him again if it worsened.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited November 2008

    It's great that he knew what it was.  Hopefully yours doesn't get worse and improves soon.  And hopefully you don't get it again after your bilateral although unfortunately I do think that's a risk.  Mondor's is quite unusual but I think those of us who are prone to it are at risk to get it with any breast surgery we have.  Fingers crossed that you don't get it again.  There are worse things but Mondor's is just an annoyance (and a pain!).

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited November 2008

    I think Mondors is probably occuring more often than is being reported or recognized.  I have had chest wall Mondors (sometimes called Ropy Phlebitis) with my lumpectomy in 2000 and my bilateral Masts in 2005.  I also had a superficial phlebitis of the left arm following total axillary node dissection.  It is always a good thing to have it examined by the physican, not only to rule out the more rare but possible DVT, but also to have an official record of Mondors on the books.

    I applied heat, took Ibuprofin (Motrin/Advil) to reduce the inflammation and did some very gentle stretching, but it still took close to 3 months to resolve each time. Some articles I have read state that Mondors can be fibrosed lymphatic structures in addtion to thrombosed veins.  Either way it is a painful annoyance and I hope yours soon resolves Sherry. :)

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited November 2008

    I developed Mondors at time of US breast biopsy (where they use that gun-like technique to aspirate). Just like Sherry64 describes it, but running up the chest wall, through the axilla and to my upper inner arm. I was one of the unfortunate ones, as it didn't resolve, and in fact fibrosed. It's been incised twice and still is taunt. My situation is very rare.
     
    When I had my prophylactic mastectomy, I asked them to give me low dose heparin, hoping and thinking I might avoid a repeat phlebitic state (that's what the MSK doc diagnosed it as). My BS fussed, but used it, and I did o.k. without excessive bleeding and no phlebitis.
     
    I agree LindaLou with your statement Mondor's seems under reported. There is a thread in the archives here about Mondors btw.
     
    Best to you all,
    Tender 
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  • kenzie
    kenzie Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2008

    Hi- Just had a lumpectomy about 2 weeks ago and my "cord" showed up about 10 days after surgery.  Saw both my Radiologist and Surgeon and they called it Mondor's Disease.  Not really a disease just named after the guy who found it.  They told me hot compresses and motrin.  Could take 6 weeks to 6 months to go away.  I have been using the 4 inch body heat pads that stick to your skin since its hard to do hot compresses at work.  If it would make you feel more comfortable you should see your doctor for peace of mind.

    Best of luck!

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  • sherry64
    sherry64 Member Posts: 184
    edited November 2008

    Well, I started off with one cord but now have three side by side and another running down the side of my rib cage.  When I spoke to the surgeon's nurse she said it was fine and not to worry about it. Has anyone else had multiple veins involved?  My bilateral mast is in a week and I'm assuming these sore veins won't impact that surgery.

    Thanks everyone!

    Sherry 

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited November 2008

    I had one large vein (running vertically up the chest wall to axilla) and several small veins. As I was told the large "cord" was a phlebitic vein, and the smaller toothpick lick cords were probably lymphatics. Veins,arteries and lymphatics tend to run together as a triad and so some "cords" may be either, although larger ones may be the vein.
     
    You're surgery shouldn't be impacted by the prominence of the vein: they will clamp it if it bleeds, but most importantly will try to not damage it so it can heal on its own. Maybe some heat until then. No aspirin, advil, aleve, fish oil, flax seed, curcumin, vitamin E now because of the nearness of your surgery and platelet/other impact influencing bleeding time.
     
    Good luck to you. All should go well,
    Tender 
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  • sherry64
    sherry64 Member Posts: 184
    edited November 2008

    Thanks, Tender.  I'm obsessed with getting to surgery in good health.  I'll make sure I remind my surgeon and tell my ps about my misbehaving veins/lymphatics when I see them just prior to surgery.  

    Sherry 

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited April 2017

    can Mondors be aggravated by exercise? I started trying to strenghthen muscle from a lumpectomy and snb that I had in Jan . Last night I sawcthis gnarly ropy line running down towards my abdomen . It scared me until , I found info on it here .just wondering if I can contiue to exercise.

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